Hey all, I was just looking for a little advice on creating my Altmer character. A high elf is actually the only race I have yet to make a character for, and I was looking for your suggestions. I'm not sure what archetype he would fall into, but I also dont just want to stick to a pure mage/thief/warrior thing. I've constructed a little backstory for him:

A young, inquisitive, somewhat clumsy elf, Elrinthir was born amidst the chaotic aftermath of the oblivon crisis in his homeland of the Summerset Isles. A spoiled young boy of Wise parents, Elrinthir was never as talented at magic as his peers but still had a great respect and longing to learn it. He is curiously lacking in the stereotypical high elf poise and haughtiness, but instead irreverent and passionate. With the subsequent rise of the Aldermi Dominion and the Thalmor, Elrinthir was, like many of his kind, swept up in the fervor of their propaganda. Elrinthir was originally posted as a Thalmor agent rooting out possible Talos cults mainland Cyrodiil. Having no prior experience with the Thalmor, he was only vaguely aware of their activities, and knew nothing of their atrocities lack of age and experience. Eventually, he and his men arrested the leader of the group. Elrinthir was tasked with obtaining information from the prisoner by any means necessary. However, after seeing the numerous tortures inflicted upon this person over several days, he found himself to be disillusioned with the Thalmor and their goals. The final straw was when his fellow agents brutally killed the man when he would not speak. Elinthir has since been absent from his post, but his desertion did not bode well with his superiors. They have ordered Thalmor agents to find him, and if necessary, kill him on sight. After fleeing from Bruma, he crossed the border to Skyrim on a stolen horse. After a few days journey, his horse died from exhaustion. Ever the absent minded elf, Elrinthir stumbled upon a group of stormcloaks led by none other than Ulfric himself. They were then ambushed by imperial archers. Elrinthir was not wounded, but captured and placed on a cart bound to Helgen..... We all now what happens next.

I would like to make this character a little more heavy on the role playing than my previous ones. I know this may be somehwat limited, as I am playing on the Xbox version. Any suggestions would be welcome. Thanks for reading

Sounds like a Spellsword, or Jack Of All Trades.

What skills would be appropriate for this character then?

Welcome to the High Elven Elitist Club, then!

I would say your character would fit, as aformentioned, a spellsword. Make the biggest, most intimidating Altmer male you can make, strap on a Daedric Armor and set it on fire (Flame Cloak), and you would have yourself something people have nightmares of at night . Spellswords is pretty standard Destruction, Restoration, One Handed, Heavy Armor, Enchanting affair.

My main character, I roleplay an Altmer career criminal l who originally went to Skyrim to make it big, but when she found out that she is Dragonborn, priority scaled and shifted to something more... terrifying! Mine is a thief/assassin, or otherwise well-rounded dirty fighter who uses Illusion spells, poisons and creatures from Oblivion to do her biddings. But she fits more to a opportunistic chaotic type than a vengeance-minded hate-spew Altmer giant.

Ok, got him all made. See if I can get a pic up, but I'm on an xbox so the quality might not be great. With his backstory though, which side do you think he would choose? I think he would have reasons for both: The empire because a lot of stormcloaks hate elves, but maybe the stormcloaks because the worst thing for the Thalmor would be for Ulfric to succeed. They see his rebellion as a good way to weaken the empire, but they certainly don't want the cloaks to win. Any thoughts?

Sensible Nords don't hate elves; they just hate the Thalmor. Just ignore the dimwitted rabbles and join the Stormcloaks if you want revenge on the Empire. Or just don't do the Civil War at all and kill both on sight.